45 Colt "Powah"

GeauxTide · January 31, 2016, 05:27 PM

Re-reading an article by Brian Pearce from Handloader 283, I forgot about his reference to the Taylor KO (caliber x bullet weight x velocity / 7000) formula comparing a 45 Colt load to the 44 Mag. Using the 285 SAA bullet at 1050fps, the KO value is 19.323. The 44 Mag with the standard 240 at 1300 is 19.121, and the 300 at 1100 is 20.22. Not bad for a 10-11gr Unique/Power Pistol/Longshot load. No big blast, no heavy recoil. On the hunt Brian described, his son shot a large Black Bear high in a tree from 40 yards. All six shots blew through the bear, leaving half-fist sized holes. Until I found this bullet from Matt's Bullets, I'd been using a 275gr Hunters Supply and my son shot a 150# hog in the face at 20 yards, making a golf ball sized exit in the right ham. Matt's also has the 44 Caliber 255gr Keith. Got some loaded for my 44 Special Bisley and can't wait for the weather to settle down.

sghart3578 · January 31, 2016, 05:38 PM

I love the 45 Colt, in my old Vaquero and my Rossi '92.

8.5 gr of Unique under a 255 gr WFN is nothing to sneeze at.

I have never felt "undergunned".

Many years ago I had a NCOIC that also shared a love of 45 Colt revolvers. He brought one into the shop to show us, a S&W model 25. I was in love. One of the guys piped up "Sarge, you need to sell that and buy something with some power like a 44 mag."

He said something I will never forget. "Let me shoot you with this old round and if you don't need a doctor then I'll sell it.'

Very funny in 1979, still is today.

JJ45 · January 31, 2016, 05:47 PM

Check out John Linebaugh of Liebaugh Custom. There's an article all about the 45 Colt on his website. In it, he compares the 45Colt with the 44 magnum.

Whole lot of analysis of the big 45 including reloading info.

Clark · February 1, 2016, 12:27 AM

I see there are 5 digits of resolution on the knock out formula.
Could we get error bars with that?

Hunter Customs · February 1, 2016, 09:47 AM

I'm a 45 Colt fanboy.

I'm shooting a 270gr WFN cast bullet at 1100fps, I feel confident that will handle anything I would come up against in Missouri.

I have three 44 magnums, they rarely get used.

Best Regard
Bob Hunter

January 31, 2016, 05:27 PM	#1
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,435	45 Colt "Powah" Re-reading an article by Brian Pearce from Handloader 283, I forgot about his reference to the Taylor KO (caliber x bullet weight x velocity / 7000) formula comparing a 45 Colt load to the 44 Mag. Using the 285 SAA bullet at 1050fps, the KO value is 19.323. The 44 Mag with the standard 240 at 1300 is 19.121, and the 300 at 1100 is 20.22. Not bad for a 10-11gr Unique/Power Pistol/Longshot load. No big blast, no heavy recoil. On the hunt Brian described, his son shot a large Black Bear high in a tree from 40 yards. All six shots blew through the bear, leaving half-fist sized holes. Until I found this bullet from Matt's Bullets, I'd been using a 275gr Hunters Supply and my son shot a 150# hog in the face at 20 yards, making a golf ball sized exit in the right ham. Matt's also has the 44 Caliber 255gr Keith. Got some loaded for my 44 Special Bisley and can't wait for the weather to settle down.

January 31, 2016, 05:38 PM	#2
sghart3578 Member Join Date: August 30, 2015 Posts: 64	I love the 45 Colt, in my old Vaquero and my Rossi '92. 8.5 gr of Unique under a 255 gr WFN is nothing to sneeze at. I have never felt "undergunned". Many years ago I had a NCOIC that also shared a love of 45 Colt revolvers. He brought one into the shop to show us, a S&W model 25. I was in love. One of the guys piped up "Sarge, you need to sell that and buy something with some power like a 44 mag." He said something I will never forget. "Let me shoot you with this old round and if you don't need a doctor then I'll sell it.' Very funny in 1979, still is today.

January 31, 2016, 05:47 PM	#3
JJ45 Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 2015 Posts: 908	Check out John Linebaugh of Liebaugh Custom. There's an article all about the 45 Colt on his website. In it, he compares the 45Colt with the 44 magnum. Whole lot of analysis of the big 45 including reloading info.

February 1, 2016, 12:27 AM	#4
Clark Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 1999 Location: WA, the ever blue state Posts: 4,678	I see there are 5 digits of resolution on the knock out formula. Could we get error bars with that?

February 1, 2016, 09:47 AM	#5
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I'm a 45 Colt fanboy. I'm shooting a 270gr WFN cast bullet at 1100fps, I feel confident that will handle anything I would come up against in Missouri. I have three 44 magnums, they rarely get used. Best Regard Bob Hunter